Father Capella named rector of Camden Catholic

Bishop Dennis Sullivan has appointed Father Joseph Capella to serve as Rector of Camden Catholic High School, Cherry Hill. He has been the school’s Director of Catholic Identity for the past two years.

Father Capella is a seasoned educator, having held the positions of teacher, chaplain and the rector of Bishop Eustace Preparatory School in in Pennsauken from 1996-2003. He has also been a pastor in the diocese, most recently at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Shrine in Lindenwold.

“Father Capella is a shining example of the priesthood and one of the most dedicated and pastoral priests in our diocese,” said Bishop Sullivan. “His work in every location he has been assigned has been exemplary and I am confident his presence in this new role will bring further blessings to the students, faculty and families of Camden Catholic High School.”

As rector, Father Capella is responsible for directing the operation of the school in accordance with the teachings of the Catholic Church and overseeing the provision of a Catholic education.

“I am humbled by this appointment and I thank Bishop Sullivan for this opportunity. It is my hope that I may continue to strengthen the Catholic identity of the school, its students and our faculty. I also look forward to working directly with our school community inside and outside the building to show the great capability of our school in educating and encouraging the future leaders who walk in our midst,” Father Capella said.

Going forward, Mary Whipkey will continue to serve as president of Camden Catholic High School, responsible for strategic planning, development, fiscal management, admissions and alumni relations. Principal Heather Crisci will continue to oversee academic matters, extracurricular programs, and the day-to-day operations of the school. Both will report directly to Father Capella.

“I have had the opportunity to work with Father Capella often during my time in the diocese. I could not have more trust that he will be a calm, yet energetic influence in the school,” said Superintendent of Schools Mary Boyle. “Father Capella truly understands that our schools must always adhere to our Catholic principles first, and from that, we can help our students, and the greater community, follow Christ’s path here on Earth.”

Father Capella served as pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Lindenwold, from 2009-16, prior to becoming the Director of Catholic Identity at Camden Catholic High School.

He was pastor of Saint Luke Parish in Stratford from 2006-09. When first incardinated into the diocese in 2006, Father Capella also has served at Saint Vincent De Paul Parish in Mays Landing and Our Lady of Grace Parish in Somerdale.

In addition to his work in parishes and schools, he has also served as a member of the bishop’s College of Consulters and on the Presbyteral Council.

Father Capella was ordained as a priest of the Society of the Catholic Apostolate, also known as the Pallottines, on June 2, 1990, at Saint Joseph Parish in his hometown of Hammonton, by Bishop James McHugh. As a Pallottine priest, in addition to his work at Bishop Eustace Preparatory School, he served at Our Lady of Pompeii Parish in Brooklyn, N.Y. from 1990-96.

He received his undergraduate degree in Business Management and Marketing from Saint Joseph’s University and his Masters of Divinity from Washington Theological Union in Washington, D.C.